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Nigeria: Extend Yar'Adua's Tenure for Economic Devt, Turaki Insists
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Leadership (Abuja)
16 June 2008
Posted to the web 16 June 2008
Joseph Wantu
Former governor of Jigawa State, Senator Saminu Turaki, insisted during the weekend that the only way President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua could implement his seven-point agenda to the benefit of the people is through elongation of his tenure.
A member of the National Assembly Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Turaki had recently canvassed amendment of the constitution to create room for seven-year first term for two terms for President Yar'Adua.
His position on the constitutional amendment has been generating harsh criticism from across the nation, with some people calling for his removal as member of the committee.
But the former governor said he was not concerned about those calling for his removal.
Turaki, who was in Benue State recently to visit Governor Gabriel Suswam, said people are entitled to their opinions about his hard stance on tenure elongation just as he maintained that it is through long tenure that the country can achieve the much needed development.
He added that as a proponent of economic development long-term as it is practised in some other African countries like Ghana and Libya, the only panacea to economic growth and development, is long tenure.
On why development has continued to elude the country, the senator said Nigeria is just starting the process of development, adding that Nigerians themselves are their own problem as they are impatient.
"Nigeria must join the old world economy or else, development would continue to elude as a nation," he said.
He also harped on the need for decentralisation of government, stressing that individual states should be allowed to operate as a separate entity for the nation to develop.
While responding to rumours making the rounds that he intends to buy Taraku Oils, one of the biggest oil producing companies in the country, situated in Aliade Gwer Local Government Area of Benue State, Turaki debunked the claims, saying he is only interested in buying off a small share of the company.
"I am one person who is interested in agriculture. I am concerned about agricultural growth as a process that leads to empowerment of the people. So I am only fighting for a small share in Taraku Mills as a way of reviving the company which used to be the best in Nigeria," he stated.
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He also paid glowing tributes to Governor Suswam for his "great development strides within one year in office" and advised him not to rest on his oars in delivering the dividends of democracy to Benue people.
I am afraid there is something wrong with the so-called political elites of the current Nigeria, most especially those who of them who are always putting party, ethnic and religious undertone to every move to reform the constitution of the land. These are the same people that allowed the third-term agenda (which Obasanjo denied he never sought for) to overtake other good amendments proposed by the then Constitutional Reviewing Committee. Now hardly had Yar'Adua mentioned Amendment of the 1999 Constitution to enhance socio-political development and true fiscal and political federalism, than these sycophants started shouting extension of Yar'Adua's term in... [Read Full Text]
of course saminu has his opinion, but the opinion is senseless, he spent 8 years in jigawa as their state governor. has nothing to tell, nor to show. mind you nigeria is bigger then that, if you could not proved your capability in a year, i just think more years in power is just a wast, may God almighty bring a powerful leader that can change this country 24 month. thats the biggest mistake obasanjo has made he could have make people like el-rufia, like adamu muazu, and rest of them president
The likes of Jigawa State Senator Saminu Turaki with his outrageous insinuation is what is wrong with Nigeria. The word elongation in the Nigeria politics is a taboo and I could not phantom why a defender of Democracy like an elected legislature should use such a word.
It goes to the crux of the matter that what is good for the North is good for Nigeria but what is good for the South is a felony. Well, it was not good for Obasanjo not that I give a hoot then how the hell is it good for Musa? You go... [Read Full Text]
How long does it take to start seeing improvement on the existing systems ? Mr President has made promises and we are anxiously waiting for these promises to start happening. I belive in our President and he is focused on producing results. This Turaki guy is simply trying to distract him from his objectives. What our President... [Read Full Text]
Good stuff. I hope all our compatriots irrespective of ethnicity see it this way too.
Good talk "aobijuru". Hope our other compatriots irrespective of ethnicity also think this way and openly criticise this political hypocrates like Turaki.
This is false Mr. Turaki, the problem Nigeria has is only leadership. Two four-year term is enough for any serious minded president to deliver. Usually those who propose tenure elongation are looking out for their wallets. They are close to the administration and have tones to benefit. I'm glad nobody is supporting this nonesense. We do not have people who have the interest of Nigeria at heart. Everybody is looking out for their own enrichment.
Nonsense! A good and crafty leader does not need term extension to get positive result. Term elongation can only lead to God-fatherism....like Libya, Egypt,Syria, where leaders pass baton to their children. 2-term of 4 years is more than enough to get economic development wheels rolling, if you know what you are doing.
I have made comments and I briefly saw it pls check again.
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